Showbiz Secret!

Don Rickles: ‘Hockey Puck’ Sounded Like Swearing

How the comic created a timeless insult!

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Don Rickles left a rich comic legacy when he passed away at the age of 90 — but his work on stage, screen and television might best be summed up by calling people “a hockey puck!”

The phrase became the insult comic’s most reliable putdown, and he couldn’t remember how it started!

“I’ve never used four-letter words, ever,” recalled Don, “and with my reputation, you’d think I had.

“But out of frustration with the joints I was working at the time, I’d say, ‘Will you shut up? You’re a real hockey puck!’


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“I guess it sounded like swearing!”

The beloved comic would spend decades autographing hockey pucks for his fans — but Don never really enjoyed any benefits from being a good sport about hockey.

“I try to catch the Lakers and Dodgers,” said the funnyman. “They’re my life…I’ve never been that big of a hockey fan!”